If you happen to be using fabric samples as I was, cut of the paper backing.

Cut the coordinating fabric.

I waited to cut the backing and the interfacing. I then laid the main fabric on top of the interfacing and backing and used my ruler and cut it 2 inches bigger the whole way around.

(As a note, I had stiffener that I bought at a local upholstery shop and it worked great for interfacing and saves $$$, however you could use any stiff interfacing)

Your stack should look like this.

Zig zag the edge of the coordinating fabric, sewing through all layers.

Next, sew the trim on through all layers.

Take the entire stack to the ironing board, put on some great music or your favorite TV program and iron away! This is actually the part that I like least, hence the music or TV. Iron under 1/2 inch on the top and bottom and then turn up another 3/4" on top and bottom. Do the same on the sides. OK, I don't actually measure this, I eyeball it, depends on how particular you are. Make sure the you give the corners a really good press.

This is what they should all look like at this point.

Now for the fun, mathematical/geometrical part of the lesson.

You are going to open up that corner. See the squares it made when you pressed it?

You are going to fold it back right sides together from the corner to make a 45 degree angle and you will see this square. Yours, of course, will not have this nice pen mark to guide you as mine does. Feel free to get out that pen and draw it in though.

Sew diagonally across that square. Make sure that you knot both ends and don't sew out of the square.

Trim as shown.

Finger press the seam open.

Repeat these steps 15 more times.

Now you should have something that looks like this!

Take them back to the ironing board and turn and press them. This pressing is not as bad as the last one.

Top-stitch the binding down.

Repeat 3 more times.

and.....

Voila! You have a new set of place mats.

These are very easy to make, if you happen to make a set, please send a pic to me, I would love to see them! I actually made this set in 1 1/2 hours.

Cathy, thank you for your tutorials. The step by step is wonderful for a novice sewer like me. I would love to learn how you made the little purses you did for Dianna's baby shower if you ever have the time. They are just the cutest and would make a great gift.

Popular Posts

Some of you asked for this. This is literally one of the EASIEST, most appreciated projects that I have ever made. I timed myself while I made this one and it was finished in under 1/2 hour and that included refilling bobbins, taking pictures, and searching the button box for two matching buttons. They are even faster if 1.) you don't do all of the above and 2.) you make them on an assembly line.Step 1. Cut a piece of fabric for the straps 4 inches wide by 14 or so inches long. If you have a very lightweight fabric, you can double it or use press on interfacing to back it. Step 2. Cut two coordinating rectangles approximately 12 to 15 inches by 15 to 18 inches. This is very loose, you can use vary the size of them. Pin those together on the bottom and halfway up the sides.

Step 3. Press the 4 inch rectangle in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and sew around raw edges, then zig-zag the edge. If the fabric frays really bad, you can go over it again.

You will need: Poster board or lightweight cardboard Freezer or Butcher Paper Scraps of felted wool Two buttons Embroidery floss Small amount of Wool Roving Small amount of polyfil Tools: Scissors Embroidery needle Felting needle Trace this pattern and cut out of lightweight cardboard. Trace onto freezer paper, two of body, two of head and one of blanket. I flipped the head, but that is not necessary if your wool is the same on both sides. Iron onto wool with the wax side down, hot setting on iron and no steam. Cut out pieces and blanket stitch the blanket onto one piece of the body. Beginning at the right side of the blanket start stitching down the top of the back and around the foot area. Sew the button on and then stitch up to the middle of the bottom and stuff that side with polyfil. Finish stitching around, repeating adding the button to the other side, leave a small opening at the blanket and finish stuffing the other leg and close up the opening. Stitch the head and ear starting at the ye…

If you have pre-finished doors, sand the areas that you are going to paint. Paint the frame and the main area black. (Almost everything I paint starts out black.)

Decide on the area that you want to be the chalkboard and mark it off. For an arch, find the center of your board and mark it. Fold a piece of paper in half and cut an arch with scissors. Line up the centers and trace the arch with chalk.

Tape off the straight edges and paint a heavy coat of the chalkboard paint on the marked out area.

Sponge the chalkboard paint.(I hoard sponges from in jewelry boxes, they are perfect for this sponging and for sponging backgrounds and easily thr…